Hypnotherapy
Myth Busters on Hypnosis… Scary or Not?
Why does Hypnosis scare some people? There are many Myths About Hypnosis and these myths are being challenged every day. Even though stage hypnotists and TV shows have damaged the public image of hypnosis, a growing body of scientific research supports its benefits in treating a wide range of conditions, including pain, stress management, depression, anxiety and phobias, as well as behavior modifications!
“Hypnosis works and the empirical support is unequivocal in that regard. It really does help people,” says Michael Yapko, PhD, a psychologist and member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis.
Hypnosis has been used for centuries for pain control, including during the Civil War when Army surgeons hypnotized injured soldiers before amputations. www.apa.org/monitor/2011/01/hypnosis.aspx
Hypnosis helps to facilitate a highly relaxed state of inner concentration and focused attention for the individual seeking relief in various areas of their lives. Hypnotherapy Practitioners can best serve their clients by also teaching them to hypnotize themselves at home to reduce chronic pain, improve sleep, or alleviate some symptoms of depression or anxiety. This is commonly referred to as Self-hypnosis. Many practitioners of hypnosis will educate their clients on the concept and theory that “all hypnosis is self-hypnosis.” What is meant by this is that the client is in complete control of their experience of the hypnotic state.
One of the most common myths about hypnosis is that the client is under the control of the Hypnotherapist and they can make you do things you may not want to do. Actually the complete opposite is true, the client is in the drivers seat. During a hypnosis session the hypnotherapist is offering a variety of suggestions to the client and the client has the complete freedom to either accept or reject the suggestion that is being offered. If a suggestion goes against the clients moral or ethical beliefs, or is in conflict with the clients goals than the client will easily refused the specific suggestion.
Because of myths many people have declined the opportunity to experience the benefits of a formal hypnotherapy session and what is surprising is that in reality we all experience various forms of self-hypnosis on a daily basis. It is similar to day dreaming or being so completely engrossed in a book or TV program that you may ignore someone speaking in the same room. That is basically what hypnosis is. Here is another example. Just before falling asleep every night, we pass through a phase that is very similar to hypnosis. In general, Therapeutic Hypnosis is a pleasant feeling of relaxation.
Clinical or medical hypnosis has been recognized by the American Medical Association since 1958, especially as a pain management tool. Medical Hypnosis is gaining popularity as a method for combating a host of problems, from nicotine addiction to chronic pain. Over the past few years, consumers have spent more money on alternative or integrative medicine, including hypnosis, than on conventional therapies, Dr. Thomas Nagy, a staff psychologist at the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford said.
Why not give hypnosis a try? It’s safe and can be a very rewarding experience. At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts you can experience the benefits of hypnosis by attending the specialty clinics offered throughout the year. Just go to the website wwww.swiha.edu and click on Specialty Clinics (under Our Clinics) to schedule your complimentary session! At SWIHA, you can also train to become a hypnotherapist!
Guest Author: Linda Bennett - http://aheartcenteredcoach.com/index.html
Linda Bennett is a SWIHA employee and Hypnotherapy Coach. Per her website, she is “here to help you navigate your personal journey in actualizing what you most desire. Working together a course will be set, discoveries will be made, and the destination will be charted to realize what’s most important to you.As your traveling companion we will work together to set goals, clarify your values, create your own personal vision and mission statement, and use tools that will enable you to focus and achieve results along the way.”
Sharing Success Stories
Success stories serve an amazing purpose. When people share their personal experiences of striving for and then achieving their goals, it not only encourages others to follow their own dreams, but proves that it can actually be done.
As SWIHA’s video producer, I recently had the honor of interviewing four graduates of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts who shared their own success stories. They can be seen and heard in a video on SWIHA’s YouTube channel—swihatv. The four inspiring testimonials were all given with open hearts and a clear vision of supporting others to follow their own destined paths.
Here’s a snippet:
Shelly is a Yoga Instructor who graduated from SWIHA’s YTT program in 2006. She teaches yoga in a variety of settings including health clubs, yoga studios, and private practice environments. Shelly is a workplace learning professional who has incorporated her yoga teaching into her “day job”, bringing a workplace yoga program to many who would not typically create a practice for themselves. She says the supportive, comprehensive training she got at SWIHA gave her confidence as well as skill. In addition to sharing her deep and intuitive bond with yoga, a fun thing Shelly said outside of the interview: “I’ve tried to take the ‘ooga booga’ out of yoga, make it less daunting, and show people that yoga has a wide appeal.”
Tim is a 2007 SWIHA Life Coaching program graduate. Tim found the program to be transformational personally with his relationships and goals. Even more rewarding, Tim really enjoys being a life coach. His practice took little time to get off the ground and soar into a full-fledged business. But Tim shared that his most inspiring moments come from volunteer work with homeless through a local social service agency. He coaches those who truly need it the most–helping people transition from where they don’t want to be to and enable them to see new opportunities and change their lives.
Ramona graduated from SWIHA as a Certified Hypnotherapist in 2005, then later the Life Coach and most recently, was ordained as a minister through the Spiritual Studies program at SWHIA. She has her own business as a Hypnotherapist and Life Coach and with her newest certification, she enjoys a fulfilling and lucrative business officiating at wedding ceremonies. Ramona says, “In this economy, there is nothing better than having your own business…but it’s not just about making money, it’s about helping people”
Brian graduated from SWIHA’s Life Coaching program in 2006 and immediately started his practice. He sees clients as individuals and also gives inspirational and motivational group presentations across the country on topics such as greatness. Brian’s successful Life Coaching practice, “A New View to a New You” specializes in self-awareness, relationships, and helping people realize their personal goals and happiness. Brian shared his heart and his wisdom, with tears in his eyes for the truth of what he said, “Follow your heart, it will take you where you need to go.”
My humble thanks to the SWIHA grads who took the time to sit with me and allow me to capture their stories on video. Please feel free to enjoy them at www.YouTube.com/swihatv. As you watch and listen, think about how your own success story will play out. Now just imagine who you can inspire when you share it.
-Merry Lucero
Wellness Terms & Definitions
Ever since I was a kid, I have been intrigued by nature, I loved being outdoors, playing in the woods and I even LIKED eating my vegetables. Raised by a mother who still to this day has a deep understanding and love for the earth and all its creatures, I think I was born to be in love with nature. Having said this, when I found out Southwest Institute of Healing Arts had a position available, I jumped at the opportunity to learn more about holistic and natural health care-it seemed like the perfect next step in pursuing my love for earthy and natural things.
As I first began my work, I was captivated by all the different aspects of natural health and wellness. To be totally honest, I was a bit overwhelmed with so many things to learn – but I was fascinated. I quickly began researching the different modalities and key terms I came across, many of which I had heard of, but never looked at in-depth. If you are interested in holistic wellness and health care but are unsure what it all means or where to start, I hope these basic definitions will help you as they have helped me.
~Basic Terms~
Bodywork: This term applies to the gentle manipulation and realignment of the body to improve mental well-being.
Holistic Health Care: The practice of applying natural methods of wellness and treatments for the mind, body and spirit.
Holistic Nutrition: Looking at a person as a whole – attempting to bring balance to all areas of the person’s life by observing dietary intake, supplements and lifestyle.
Hypnotherapy: a form of healing that has proven effective in balancing and healing the subconscious mind and spirit. Hypnotherapy can often help ease a wide variety of emotional, psychological and physical problems. People turn to hypnotherapy for a variety of reasons. Hypnosis has proven effective in the cessation of many habits by reducing physical symptoms and cravings.
Life Coaching: helps people realize their goals and recognize and overcome the obstacles that are keeping them from getting there. Life Coaches empower individuals in a supportive and non-judgmental way.
Herbalism: The practice of looking to naturally occurring herbs and remedies for a variety of ailments from plants and plant extracts.
Polarity: is a synthesis of ancient Eastern and alternative concepts centered on the idea of a Human Energy Field, using touch, verbal interaction, exercise, nutrition and other methods.
Reflexology: also called zone therapy, is based on the theory each body part is represented on the ear, hands, feet or face. By pressing or stimulating a specific area on the ear, hands, feet or face can have therapeutic effects in other parts of the body.
Reiki: is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement. It has been effective in helping are variety of illnesses and problems and is based on the idea of an unseen “life force energy” flowing through us, and it is that energy that allows us to be alive.
Toe Reading: is based on the theory that your body holographically records the story of your life. The position and shape of the toes say a lot about their owner. By observing someone’s toes you will know a great deal about their past and the experiences they have lived through. Toes reveal how a person copes with their feelings, as well as their thoughts. Toe Reading addresses the holographical recordings on a Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Level.
Tui Na: an ancient form of Chinese physical therapy, some 2000 years old. As with many other holistic health practices, this style of Asian bodywork promotes the body’s ability to heal itself naturally.
Zen Shiatsu: by helping with blood and lymph circulation in the body, shiatsu helps to maintain and improve muscle tone and healthy internal organ functions. Shiatsu works directly to calm the autonomic nervous system, which has the effect of calming nervous distress and increasing resistance to stress. It is believed that shiatsu can also strengthen the immune system.
Well there you have it, a very basic foundation to start your holistic healthcare education from-if you would like to learn more about these terms, and many others, check out the programs and community clinics we have available at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts – www.swiha.edu
Hypnotherapy: Stress Management for Children: The 6 Steps
Children experience many changes and challenges that can cause stress and upset their world to the point of emotional outbursts, restlessness, sleeplessness, anxiety and even panic attacks. These are all symptoms of stress that must be dealt with on a very sensitive level.
Oftentimes children feel the need to please their parents, teachers, coaches and other individuals with whom they look up to. They also tend to seek approval from their peers. This can mean being invited to sleepovers, birthday parties or participating in sporting events or competitions. While these are healthy parts of development, if not kept in perspective, can damage self-esteem and create unnecessary stress.
Children often have a hard time expressing their feeling in words and connecting the dots from an event to their feelings. This can be very frustrating to a caring parent who wants nothing more than to make it all better for their child. Here are a few tips to assist you in helping your child manage their own stress.
- Find out who they think is the most powerful superhero they can imagine. Try asking, “What would (superhero) do in this situation?” This will allow them to get some creative ideas to help break them out of their mindset. Gently guide them into positive thinking, being careful not to discount their thoughts. Your child may even be able to realize that what they were stressing about isn’t so bad.
- Encourage your child to spend quiet time listening to their inner thoughts. You might choose to do some breathing exercises with them.
- Promote the importance of exercise. Keep in mind that too much activity can be a source of stress as well. There’s plenty of relaxing, inward exercises that you can do together such as yoga, tai chi or even taking walks.
- Gather information about whatever it is that they may be stressing about and share it with them. You may find stories of other kids who experienced the same sort of situations or feelings and what worked for them. The more supportive you can be, the more they will appreciate your efforts.
- Take some time to observe the different environments that your child encounters on a regular basis. Look at your home, their classroom and their peers. What kind of pressures are being put on them, are they appropriate and what pressures are they putting on themselves?
- Lead by example. This is probably the hardest for parents to do, and the most important. When we are able to manage our stress in a healthy way, our children are more capable of learning these same healthy skills. It is important to know that you are the best parent for your child, and they will follow your lead
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